







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| I agree, long flights aren't very pleasant. | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| I'm okay, how are you? | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | |
| As a result, he starts pooping and peeing all over the house. | |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| It's Marvin Gaye, from the 60's, but this is the remix. | |
| Very nice! I hope he doesn't do it all the time! | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | |
| Of course, my name is Cate and my number is 077... | |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | |